Nursing Assistant
What you'd do
The Nursing Assistant functions as a member of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in the care of patients/residents receiving preventive, acute, sub-acute chronic, maintenance, and hospice care. The distinguishing factor is that patient/resident assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs which can vary within a range of predictable to unpredictable requirements. Performs activities of daily living and provides a range of care. **This is a temporary position**
Major duties
The NA successfully completes duties at the lower grades, and in this position performs activities of daily living and provides a range of care that contributes to the Veteran's treatment plan, recovery, and wellness under the direction of a licensed health care provider. The NA may perform these duties in a variety of health care settings such as outpatient, inpatient, home or Community Living Center (CLC), acute, sub-acute. The NA will care for patients/residents with acute to chronic conditions. The NA must will perform the following duties: The NA utilizes glucose monitoring machine to receive glucose readings for Veterans and refers deviation to appropriate health care staff. Provides direct care for complex Veterans. Make observations of subtle changes in resident's condition, i.e. behavior shifts, mood, skin coloring, appetite, etc. and takes action accordingly within the NA's assigned role. Responds appropriately to subtle patient changes by contacting the appropriate nursing personal. Administers complete tracheostomy care, including suctioning. Monitors and documents patient intake and output reports deviations timely and accurately. Performs nursing procedures within scope of practice and according to policies and standard procedures to care for the veteran for such procedures but not limited to enemas, catheterization, colostomy care, skin care simple dressing, application of braces and prosthetic devices. Works on small group activities with patients/residents according to the patients/resident treatment plan. Recognizes the residents' autonomy and promotes independence by means of respect, limit setting and individualized treatment. Actively participates in Treatment Planning Meetings. Utilizes equipment to promote self-care. Verbally provides patient information to the treatment team for inclusion in the veteran/residents' plan of care, participates in treatment team meetings for resident care planning. Enters information about the residents' condition in the chart, utilizing appropriate formats. Participates in maintaining a clean, safe environment for the patient/resident. Removes defective equipment, reports hazards, observes safety regulations, contributes to infection control, and utilizes proper aseptic technique in performance of duties. Serves as preceptor and mentor to other NAs. Orients members of the health care team to the units as appropriate. Manages distributed patient behavior and intervenes and requests assistant from other health care members. Appropriately initiates basic life support, takes appropriate action. Completes all mandatory training within appropriate timelines. Actively participates in annual competency assessment and validation. Total Rewards of a Allied Health Professional Work Schedule: 7:30am- 8:00pm Recruitment Incentive (Sign-on Bonus): Not authorized Permanent Change of Station (Relocation Assistance): Not authorized Pay: Competitive salary and regular salary increases. When setting pay, a higher step rate of the appropriate grade may be determined after consideration of higher or unique qualifications or special needs of the VA (Above Minimum Rate of the Grade). Paid Time Off: 37-50 days of annual paid time offer per year (13-26 days of annual leave, 13 days of sick leave, 11 paid Federal holidays per year) Parental Leave: After 12 months of employment, up to 12 weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Child Care Subsidy: After 60 days of employment, full time employees with a total family income below $144,000 may be eligible for a childcare subsidy up to 25% of total eligible childcare costs for eligible children up to the monthly maximum of $416.66. Retirement: Traditional federal pension (5 years vesting) and federal 401K with up to 5% in contributions by VA Insurance: Federal health/vision/dental/term life/long-term care (many federal insurance programs can be carried into retirement) Telework: Not authorized Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #:FS 512-25459-F, FS 512-25-460-F, and FS 512-25461-F Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized
What you need to qualify
Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience or Education or Training: 1) Six months of general experience. Experience must demonstrate the ability to acquire the knowledge and skills to perform the work of a NA; OR, 2) One year of education above high school with courses related to the NA occupation; OR 3) Completion of an intensive, specialized, occupation-related [training] course of study [or program] of less than one year as a NA may also meet in full the experience requirements for GS-3 Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements. English Language Proficiency: NAs must be proficient in spoken and written English in accordance with VA Handbook 5005, part II, chapter 3, section A, paragraph 3j. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: GS-3 Nursing Assistant (Entry Level) (a) Experience and Education: None beyond the basic requirements. (b) Assignments: GS-3 Nursing Assistants (NAs) are considered entry-level and work under close supervision. GS-4 Nursing Assistant(a) Experience: One year of specialized experience as a Nursing Assistant or in another medical field (such as Licensed Practical Nurse, Health Technician, Hospital Corpsman). Experience must include performing technical and nursing skills requiring knowledge of physical and emotional patient states, therapeutic communication, and skills needed for basic and intermediate treatments; OR (b) Education: Successful completion of two years above high school in an accredited institution with courses related to nursing care, health care, or a field appropriate to the position (such as psychology, psychiatric technician, or operating room technology); AND (c) Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): Ability to provide a range of patient or resident care and contribute to the completion of the nursing care plan and patient recovery. Ability to observe physical and emotional status and report changes or problems to a supervisor in a timely manner. Ability to properly use equipment, materials, and supplies in simple diagnostic and treatment procedures (bladder scan, continuous passive motion device, blood glucose monitoring, specimen collection, etc.). Ability to communicate effectively with patients/residents, families, and other health professionals. (d) Assignment:GS-4 NAs serve at the intermediate or developmental level under close supervision. They function as members of the nursing care team, assisting higher-graded NAs, licensed nursing staff, and other team members in caring for patients receiving outpatient, home, community living, acute, sub-acute, or chronic care. They provide care under close supervision and refer questions or issues to supervisors or other health care professionals. GS-5 Nursing Assistant (Full Performance Level) (a) Experience: One year of progressively responsible assignments equivalent to the GS-4 level demonstrating the required knowledge, skills, and abilities listed below; OR (b) Education: Successful completion of four years above high school leading to a bachelor's degree that includes 24 semester hours of health care-related coursework, or possession of a bachelor's degree; AND (c) Demonstrated KSAs: Ability to assist with the full range of nursing care for patients or residents with physical and/or behavioral problems in hospital, long-term care, or outpatient settings under the direction of a Registered Nurse or Licensed Vocational/Practical Nurse. Ability to communicate orally with patients/residents, families, interdisciplinary teams, and other personnel, including serving as a preceptor to new NAs by coordinating orientation and assessing practical experience in clinical settings. Ability to recognize and respond to emergent patient or resident care situations (e.g., need for basic life support, controlling bleeding, assisting during behavioral crises) while awaiting assistance. (d) Assignment: This is the full performance level. GS-5 NAs function as members of the nursing care team and assist licensed nursing staff in caring for patients receiving outpatient, home, community living, acute, sub-acute, or chronic care. Assignments typically involve more complex nursing needs ranging from predictable to unpredictable. NAs at this grade also assume peer education and mentorship responsibilities. Preferred Experience: Two years recent history working in LTC setting. Reference: For more information on this qualification standard, please visit https://www.va.gov/ohrm/QualificationStandards/. The full performance level of this vacancy is GS-05. The actual grade at which an applicant may be selected for this vacancy is in the range of GS-03 to GS-05. Physical Requirements: See VA Directive and Handbook 5019, Employee Occupational Health Service for requirements.
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